Vinaya

Teachings on the monastic code of ethical discipline and precepts as set out by the Buddha 2,500 years ago and how they are lived in the present-day context.

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Ven. Chodron, Ven. Jampa Tsedroen , Ven. Heng-Ching Shih and Ven. Lekshe Tsomo sitting and discussing on a table full of papers.
Tibetan Tradition

A means to achieve bhiksuni ordination

A request to all upholders of the vinaya traditions, to work together to find a…

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Venerable Chodron and a monk walking down a path, in conversation.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Monastic practices

A discussion among Western and Asian monastics highlights some of the practices in their particular…

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Stone sculpture of monk meditating near Chaityas.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Development of the sangha

Relating our ways of being in the world to our state of mind and how…

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Sangha walking down a country road.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Historical evolution of the sangha

Dharma practice means being a balanced human being with self acceptance and ease, not being…

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Gold calligraphy 'Great Wisdom Sutra Handscroll - Frontspiece detail - the Buddha's First Sermon.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

History of the sangha

The purpose of living in community. The evolution of the sangha and the establishment of…

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Venerable chodron and other bhikshunis at Posadha ceremony.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Renunciation and simplicity

For monastics of all traditions, renouncing worldly materialism and self-centeredness inspires the cultivation of genuine…

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Venerable Chodron giving a talk Drepung Loseling Monastery.
Monastic Life

Traditions of Buddhism

Common ground underlying the diverse expressions of the Buddha’s teachings.

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Placeholder Image
Living in Community

The purpose of precepts

A talk to the newly ordained about monastic life, a monastic mind, interacting with the…

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Cover of Choosing Simplicity.
Books

About Venerable Bhikshuni Wu Yin

Brief biography of vinaya master Venerable Bhikshuni Wu Yin whose commentary on the Bhikshuni pratimoksha…

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Cover of Choosing Simplicity.
Books

Monastic life: a living tradition

The story behind "Choosing Simplicity," a commentary by vinaya master Venerable Bhikshuni Wu Yin on…

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Cover of Choosing Simplicity.
Books

Reviews of “Choosing Simplicity”

Praise for the book "Choosing Simplicity: A Commentary on the Bhikshuni Pratimoksha."

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Venerable Chodron and Venerable Tenzin Kacho, standing in front of an altar at Vajrapani Institute in Boulder Creek.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

The four messengers

The signs of aging, sickness, death, and the spiritual seeker deeply moved Prince Siddhartha, and…

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